“Th-they were the ones who made up,” I get out through chattering teeth. “N-not me.”
“It was because of you,” he says fondly. “You’re magic, London. You’ve made everything better.”
I pull him into a numb kiss. He tugs me closer to his body heat.
“Are you really okay?” he murmurs into my hair. “Your mum is a piece of work. I’m so sorry.”
I nod, wrapping my arms tighter round his neck. “Yeah. I think I’ve needed to have that conversation for a very long time. I think…” I tip my head back to watch as four starlings play in the yellow sky, swooping over the water. I take a deep breath. “I think it’s time to stop hiding. I need to stop trying to please everyone, online and offline. Mum included.”
It’ll be something new for me, being myself. I don’t even know what it looks like. But I’m pretty sure the men will be willing to help.
Fraser beams, stroking wet hair off my face. “You don’t need to try at all for us, London,” he promises. “You just be. We couldn’t love you more.”
I pull him into another kiss.
As we make out, Alec and Cameron finally catch up to us both. Alec presses up behind me, hot lips touching my throat. Cameron slides in on my left, nuzzling my cheek. I gasp as three mouths touch me all over—my jaw, my cheek, my neck. Even though the water is cold, wedged between my men, I am so, so warm.
“I love you,” Alec breathes against my skin.
“Love you,” Fraser echoes.
“Aye,” is all Cameron says.
Tears glimmer on my eyelids, blurring the green and gold of the evening. I let them fall, mingling with my makeup and the loch water on my cheeks. I probably look a mess, but I don’t bother to hide it.
I don’t think I have to hide anything anymore.
EPILOGUE
SIX YEARS LATER
Aheavy hand knocks at my studio door. “Baby,” Fraser calls through the wood. “We need you for the photos. Your terrifying friend is scaring me. Are you decent?”
“Since when do you care?” I call back, spinning to check the back of my dress in the mirror. I’m wearing the last piece from my latest collection—a sweet little bluebell-coloured sundress. It grazes my thighs and nips in at the waist, tightened with corseted ribbons.
I think my followers will love it. In the last six years,Too Much?has released ten collections and has become known for pretty, slightly princessy clothes that are still wearable. This dress fits that to a tee.
“Aye, you’re right about that,” Fraser mutters, shoving the door open. When he steps inside, he freezes. “Baby. No. Come on.”
“What?” I look down at myself. “Do you like it?”
“It’s The Dress,” he says emphatically. “Honey, we have work to do! You can’t just waltz around wearing The Dress!” I smile as he wraps his arms around me from behind.
For whatever reason, the men have been obsessed with this dress ever since I first brought home a prototype. I suppose itisvery flattering. And pretty low-cut.
Sue me, I want to be cuteandhot.
Fraser’s hands skim over my hips, squeezing. “You look like a wee fairy,” he says, kissing the sparkles on my cheek. I smile at our joined reflection in the mirror. He’s tousled and tanned from working in the fields. He looks exactly the same as he did when we first met, aside from a few extra smile lines.
He notices me looking. “What?”
“Nothing.” I squeeze his forearm. “You’re just so handsome.”
He buries his smile in my hair. “Don’t flirt with me in this dress, lass.” I feel my cheeks heat, and he nuzzles me. “Although it isverycute that after all these years, being called ‘lass’ still makes you blush.” He pats my bum. “C’mon. If we get distracted, your friend will stab me to death.”
I snort. Fraser is petrified of Lulu. “She wouldn’tstabyou?—”
“Who has nails that shape?” he demands. “Why are they so pointy?”
